ZUL-HAJJ 1 1430 A.H.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER . 19 2009.
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Hajj: 11 Nigerians die in Saudi Arabia --Official
The head of the federal government medical team to the 2009 Hajj, Dr Ibrahim Kana, has confirmed that 11 Nigerian pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia.
Kana told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makka yesterday that ``11 deaths (of Nigerians) have so far been recorded in Saudi Arabia.''
He said two of the deceased were knocked down by vehicles in Mecca and Medina, while two died of diarrhoea and vomiting, one of epilepsy, another of pneumonia and the rest of other natural causes.
Kana said Nasarawa, Sokoto, Kebbi and Bauchi states lost two pilgrims each, while Zamfara, Plateau and Niger states lost one each.
He said the record was an improvement compared to 2008 when 45 Nigerians died before Arafat.
Kana called on the pilgrims to improve on their personal hygiene, rest properly and take plenty of water and fruits to avoid exhaustion from the heat.
He said the federal medical team was working with the state medical teams to ensure the good health of pilgrims.
The federal medical team has 60 doctors, 120 nurses, 20 pharmacists and 16 environmental health officers, who offer free medical services to pilgrims in their clinics in Mecca, Medina and Jeddah.
NAN reports that 95,000 Nigerians are performing the pilgrimage.
